If you ask me which temple is better to see or shoot Nine Emperor Gods Festival, my reply would be... they are all 'same same but different'. And if you ask me if what has changed over the years that I have followed this festival, my answer would still be... 'same same but different'.
In my opinion, this popular South-east Asian phrase 'Same same but different' very aptly describes this festival.... and here is why I feel it is so:
- Same same rites and rituals but there are (minor) differences...
- Same same schedule of event every year, with minor tweaks and additions or omissions...
- Same same people participate every year, except they are one year older...
- Same same deity but the invitation timing is different...
- Same same concept of invitation (from a body of water) but locations are different (river, sea, etc)
- Same same God that they pray to but rules of who can participate in the festival and/or fire walking is different from temple to temple
- Same same kind of vegetarian food, but prices are way way different.
- Same same shots taken... but many different stories can be told from the shots of the festival...
So my advice is... go and enjoy this 'Same same but different' festival and don't fret it if you miss something this year... there is always next year... as it will be... 'Same same but different'
So my countdown to Nine Emperor Gods Festival 2019 posts comes to a close today with this post as tomorrow (28th Sept 2019) will be the eve of this festival... Remember that some temples will carry out the invitation ceremony tomorrow in the evening whilst some do it much closer to midnight... same same but different ya!
